Frugal habits from cradle to altar

The AP’s “When Frugal Is All in the Family” examines whether or not frugal parents raise children who have absorbed their values. Knox College professor Tim Kasser, who studies materialism, reasoned:

Whether individuals grow up to be thrifty is probably going to be influenced by whether they had a thrifty parent. If parents make saving money fun, give children choices and explain why careful spending is a good way to live, the children will probably get the message.

Those of us who grew up in the 1980s were lucky — back then, Consumers’ Union published the children’s magazine Penny Power, which walked its pre-adolescent audience through the joys of envelope-system budgeting, calculating the cost-per-unit of a six-pack of Bubblelicious, or practicing delayed gratification. If being a careful 6th-grade saver wasn’t exactly a laugh riot, it was thrilling to feel like one had control over one’s finances.

And now, it appears, those of us who grew up reflexively chanting the phrase “opportunity cost” and brown-bagging our lunches are now dating — and trying to figure out how to convey our values when looking for a mate. The NYT‘s “How to Be Frugal and Still Be Asked on Dates” looks at whether or not would-be partners perceive frugality as a virtue, and how self-identified frugal people try to send out signals broadcasting their financial values. Some of the strategies include writing classifieds that show “a love of quality and a respect for value.”

What I’m curious about: How do you convey your frugal habits — or unapologetic indulgences — to the people you date/have dated/married/divorced? Were you straightforward with your priorities and practices? Or did you bank on your paramour noticing that you’d sooner set a trash can on fire before you patronized an ATM not affiliated with your bank? Share your anecdotes or strategies with dollarsandsense@sfgate.com.